Money for a Car: A Guide to Auto Financing
Nobody wants to be the dumb buyer in a car buying deal. You have to be smart or you end up losing more money than you ought to. It is a very common scheme among car buyers to first get money in order to buy a new car.
The term is called “auto financing” and it simply means how you pay for a vehicle. You can finance a car by taking out an auto loan to own a car, in which case, you have two options: You either use the money from the loan to buy the car, or use it for lease.
If this isn’t your first time buying a car, you might already know that the salesman or your car dealer will be checking your credit report before starting with the negotiations. But this is not the only way you can go to get that new car of yours. The seller will try to sweeten the deal and offer you special car finance situations in exchange for throwing yourself totally at his mercy. That is not a path you have to choose.
The key is preparation. Knowing what auto financing options you have before you get to the dealership will mean that you can take charge of your credit and take charge of your car loan.
Just remember, when you negotiate with the salesman for the most favorable auto loan, nothing is permanent until you have it in writing. So haggle and then haggle some more. Once negotiations seem to be over, that’s when the sales contract is prepared.
Inflated Interest Rates
To have the deal agreed upon by you and the salesman be put in writing in a binding contract is top on the list of the things you must do involving auto financing. Often involved at this part of the procedure is to determine monthly auto loan payments based on an interest rate. Now, as you well know, the interest rate varies from car buyer to car buyer. Your credit is only one of the factors and if the interest rate a car buyer qualifies for is inflated, then the dealership can make extra profit off your loan. That’s just one of the pitfalls in auto financing.
Independent Auto Financing
When you have the approved auto financing option on hand, you can then proceed with the deal as a “cash buyer” so to speak as you already have the cash in hand from the loan and you are just buying the car from the dealer with that money. Car salesmen prefer customers to be “monthly payment” buyers as this makes it easier for them to obscure the total cost of the vehicle, to the detriment of your savings. So wizen up and take that independent auto financing option available.
Set a Price Range
Having a budget is the sensible thing to do. If you set a sensible price range for yourself, then you have less reason to go beyond that range and succumb to the temptation of overspending. If you’re really firm on that budget, no amount of sales talk can sway you. One good tip is to ensure that your monthly car payments and related expenses do not exceed about 20% of your monthly net income.
Discounted Financing vs. Rebate
Here’s the dilemma to car buying: Many dealers offer an option between discounted financing or a rebate, but not both. Discounted financing means that you get zero-percent financing while rebate means that you get a certain amount of cash some time after purchase. The common error many car buyers make is that the zero-percent loan will deliver the most savings. But will it really?
Get the Cash Rebate
In most cases, it’s better to get the cash rebate and apply it against the purchase price of the vehicle. If you already have a pre-approved car loan, then that’s even better because you have positively no need of extra financing from your dealer. Just use your car loan to finance the car and let the rebate handle some of the charges.
You will have to choose how long you want your lease to be and how much you’re willing to pay upfront. The obvious choice, of course, would be to pay as little as possible, but be sure to weigh other options as well. After that, the car is yours for the period stipulated in the lease contract.
There are several other different plans those car buyers like you can adopt in order to make the most out of your money and reduce costs at the dealership. Understanding the credit process is just one way of being a smart buyer.
Financing Your New Look
So you’re considering having some cosmetic surgery done, but your insurance won’t cover it and you don’t have the money to pay for it up front. Believe it or not, there is a way to finance that tummy tuck or eye lift.
What to Consider:
The Cost
Cosmetic surgery is expensive. Procedures cost anywhere from $500-$25,000 depending on the type of procedure being performed. Financing your surgery will only add more to that cost due to interest rates.
As with any type of financing, your interest rate will vary based on your credit history, selected loan term and the loan amount. Available loan terms may include 12, 24, 36 and 48 months or a revolving credit line depending on your credit background. Keep in mind: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Be skeptical of financing companies offering 1% rates, because there is usually a hidden cost behind these offers.
Also keep in mind that you may need to come up with a down payment in order to finance your surgery. Down payment requirements are determined based on your credit history and your health care providers requirements, if any. If you have average or above average credit, you may not be required to put any money down.
As with any type of financing, whether it be a car, a home, or even cosmetic surgery, you should take into account what your current financial situation looks like and determine whether or not you can afford a regular monthly payment for the next 24, 36, 48 or 60 months.
If you have not already done so, figure out your monthly income subtracted by your bills, don’t forget to include miscellaneous items such as groceries, toiletries, gas, household products, pet food, etc. After you have created a monthly budget, you can now determine whether or not you can afford another $100-$200 monthly payment.
The Procedure
Before you begin to get all excited about the prospect of financing your new look, it’s important to understand why you want to have this kind of procedure done. Make sure your expectations are realistic and that you are doing this because you believe there are no other options. Consider both the pros and cons of cosmetic surgery and weigh your other options.
A good rule of thumb for financing cosmetic surgery is to finance only major surgical procedures. If you’re considering Botox, for instance, the prices are reasonable enough, but if you’re financing the injection(s), it will cost you more than it’s worth.
You should also keep in mind that most types of cosmetic surgery need to be maintained on a regular basis, and fighting the aging process completely is futile.
Finding a Surgeon
Although a cosmetic financing company can refer you to a surgeon, it’s best to find one before you contact a financing company. Dr. Steve Fallek, a cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgeon in New York and Englewood, NJ suggests that a financing company is not going to be able to give you the best plastic surgeon.
You want to go to a board-certified cosmetic surgeon who is reputable, honest and who hopefully you’ve gotten the name from someone who has had plastic surgery from that person. Fallek says patients should ask their surgeon to recommend a finance company.
Financing Companies
Before you chose a financing company, make sure they are reputable. They should have a good track record in financing health care procedures and should work with a network of doctors.
If you have found a surgeon to do your procedure, you may also ask if he/she has financing available. The terms of the financing should be clearly outlined in writing before you apply for any financing, and you should never pay a broker fee.
Most surgeons use the same financing companies, so don’t waste your time looking for surgeons who may have lower rates. Seeing different surgeons takes up time and money.
You may also want to consider using your credit card if the interest rate is lower. Some people also borrow from family or even take out a home equity loan.
The Decision is Made
If you have now decided that you can afford to finance your cosmetic surgery, research your procedure online to find out the benefits and risks. You may also want to discuss your surgery options with your primary physician who may also provide you with a list of surgeons and payment options.
epoxy flooring finishes can be seducing! Check these samples.
If you want to add style and elegance to your home, consider applying epoxy flooring finishes. Epoxy coatings can add a dazzling look to any room. You can add decorative chips to the mixture to create extra pieces that catch the light. Some even feature metallic coatings to give your home a polished ambiance. Even practical rooms can be dressed up with these flooring finishes.
Color options
Epoxy flooring comes in a variety of colors and styles. You can choose from classic black to vibrant turquoise and silver tones. There are also timeless options, such as khaki, which features soft tan and beige colors with black highlights. The choice of color should be based on your style and personal taste.
Choosing the right color is an important part of creating your ideal space. Whether you want to create a bright, sunny, or cozy abode, there are endless options. If you need help choosing the perfect color, you can enlist the services of an epoxy coating manufacturer.
Durability
The durability of epoxy flooring finishes makes them the ideal choice for heavy traffic areas. They are extremely resistant to scratches, stains, and cracks. As a result, they can withstand traffic and weight from vehicles, forklifts, and heavy equipment. They are also easy to repair and replace if necessary.
Epoxy flooring is the perfect solution for high-traffic residential areas. It resists chemical staining and sun fading and is easy to clean. Some epoxy flooring finishes are moisture-mitigating, which is a huge benefit in basements. Basements can become very moist, which can cause Sick Building Syndrome, so these types of floors can help prevent the effects of this problem.
Cost
The cost of epoxy flooring finishes varies according to the square footage of the floor. Choosing the right type of flooring can make a difference in the overall cost of the project. It is important to do some research before contacting a contractor. By doing this, you can prepare yourself for any questions your contractor may have. You will also know what to expect, and the contractor will be able to offer you a range of cost.
Epoxy flooring materials come in two types: solvent-based and water-based. Water-based epoxy is less expensive than solid epoxy. It costs approximately $30 to $50 per gallon, while solvent-based epoxy costs between $45 and $150 per gallon. In addition to the material cost, the cost of epoxy flooring finishes may include the cost of equipment and labor. Equipment may include shop vacs, power washers, spiked rollers, and other tools.
Installation
When preparing a floor for epoxy flooring, you should begin by thoroughly cleaning it. You should avoid foot traffic on the floor during this step, and use hot water and a liquid degreaser to remove any dirt and debris. This process can take several hours, and you may need to sand the floor afterward. It may also take more than one coat to ensure that the surface is completely clean.
It is important to use a high-quality primer for your epoxy flooring, as a poor-quality one is worse than no primer at all. The primer prevents the epoxy from separating from the concrete, and it prevents heavy objects from gouging the floor’s surface.